It was May of 2023, Amber Bogle was sitting at her desk, back at work after graduating from PGA HOPE Nebraska’s veteran golf program.
She was feeling rejuvenated, grateful for the six-week program. PGA HOPE brought her new friends, a new passion in golf and a sense of purpose. Upon reflecting on her journey through the program and what it meant to her, she thought to herself that this couldn’t be the end.
Bogle wanted to give back in the same way PGA Professionals had for her. With that, she remained engaged with her fellow Veterans while continuing to volunteer at future HOPE programming.
Bogle recalls listening to Dr. Terry Riordan, PGA speak to PGA HOPE veterans at a fall program in Lincoln. Riordan spoke about how he became a PGA Professional later in life. Listening to his story, Bogle thought to herself, “Why not me?”
With that thought in her head, Bogle was riding in a car alongside Seth Scollard, PGA en route to another PGA HOPE session. She brought up the idea of becoming a PGA Professional and asked Scollard, the Managing Director of PGA REACH Nebraska, if he thought she was capable.
Without hesitation, Scollard said, “Absolutely you could do this.” In that moment, Bogle’s life would change, and her career was headed down a different, but fulfilling path.
“Sometimes all it takes is having another person believe in you, even when you don’t believe in yourself,” said Bogle.
After the conversation with Scollard, Bogle became determined. She was motivated by seeing and experiencing the impact PGA Professionals were having on the veteran community. That’s when an opportunity came knocking on the door.
With PGA REACH Nebraska growing at a rapid rate, there was a need for more staffing to help keep up with programming. PGA REACH Nebraska was granted a ‘PGA Works Fellow,’ which provides a 12-month, paid immersion in a PGA Section’s operations designed to help foster development and a new skill set in all facets of the golf industry.
When looking for an individual to fit this position, Scollard knew immediately who to call first.
Bogle was offered the position, and she simultaneously began the PGA Associate’s program to become a Class A PGA Professional.
“I have always dreamed of having a job where I worked for a purpose and not just a paycheck.
PGA WORKS, through PGA REACH Nebraska, finally gives me that opportunity,” said Bogle.
In just the span of a year, Bogle went from feeling “lost” and working “without a purpose” to finding a new passion in golf which provided her with a fresh start at the Nebraska Section PGA.
In addition to PGA HOPE, PGA REACH Nebraska’s Clubs FORE Youth program ignited a passion for Bogle. Not only could she relate with the veterans being impacted by PGA HOPE, but she was pulled towards the high school girls within Clubs FORE Youth. Though it wasn’t through golf, Bogle understood what it meant to be a high school girl competing in sports and that at times, it meant you were overlooked or not provided the proper resources to succeed.
Over the course of the 2024 season, Bogle worked alongside Scollard and the Section staff to plan and orchestrate both PGA HOPE and Clubs FORE Youth programming. Along with the Foundation’s matters, Bogle was introduced to many different areas of the golf business. Whether it was junior golf, running professional tournaments or fundraising, Bogle has had the opportunity to see it and breathe it.
One of the most rewarding experiences of her year-long journey was being nominated and chosen as a National PGA HOPE Ambassador. That meant she would attend PGA’s National Golf & Wellness Week (NG&WW) at Congressional Country Club. NG&WW is a week-long event that introduces golf to veterans and active-duty military to improve their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being. The goal for the attendees is to learn more about being a PGA HOPE Ambassador and becoming equipped with new skills and ideas to bring back to their respective Sections.
Bogle said that her experience at NG&WW was “truly unforgettable.”
“The issues we discussed, the topics we learned about – all with the intent of helping our PGA HOPE graduates thrive during and after the program, to the people we met – Foundation Board of Directors, sponsors, PGA Professionals and leadership and even Jack Nicklaus; as well as the experiences – playing at the historic Congressional Country Club. I feel extremely lucky to have been chosen as one of the 2024 Ambassadors,” said Bogle.
When asked what her favorite moment of the trip was, her answer was “the moment I left.” An answer that seems questionable and confusing, is really just another example of her character.
“My favorite moment – was leaving. Not because I wanted to go home, but it was reflecting on everything that had happened over the last several days. Thankful for the information that was given to prepare us to be the best ambassadors we can be” said Bogle.
Though she was grateful for the experience, she was ready to return to Nebraska to implement what she had learned to her own PGA HOPE programs. Rather than thinking about herself and her own journey, she was thinking about the hundreds of Veterans she wanted to continue to impact.
Along with National Golf & Wellness Week, Bogle had the opportunity to attend PGA HOPE’s Secretary’s Cup. She recently visited PGA Frisco, the headquarters of the PGA of America. She’s assisted the Nebraska Section staff and board in their process of finding the future home of the Nebraska PGA. Bogle’s continued to progress through the PGA Associate’s program. She’s found a family within the Nebraska Section PGA.
The endless experiences have brought joy and purpose to Bogle’s life. None of it would’ve happened if she didn’t follow through with attending her first PGA HOPE program. Her story truly has come full circle.
“Never in a million years would I have imagined that I would consider myself a golfer or working in the golf industry. Now, I cannot imagine my life without it.”
ABOUT PGA REACH NEBRASKA
PGA REACH Nebraska is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization and the charitable arm of the Nebraska Section PGA. PGA REACH Nebraska is program-based and supported by the Nebraska Section PGA Golf Professionals. PGA REACH Nebraska’s mission is to positively impact lives through the game of golf. The Foundation has 3 core pillars of focus: Military, Youth and Inclusion. Each pillar is supported by programs that are executed to carry out our mission.
ABOUT PGA HOPE NEBRASKA
PGA HOPE is a 6-week program that provides military veterans with free golf experiences taught by PGA Professionals. Upon completing the program, Veterans are considered “graduates” and will remain engaged every year through other PGA HOPE activities and events provided by PGA REACH Nebraska. Learning and playing the game of golf is a proven activity that has positively impacted thousands of veterans nationwide. PGA HOPE is a program that is truly making a difference, as golf has become a therapeutic part of the rehabilitation process for many veterans.
ABOUT THE NEBRASKA SECTION PGA
The Nebraska Section PGA is a non-for-profit organization comprised of over 340 PGA Members and PGA Associates who strive to promote the enjoyment and growth of the game of golf. The Nebraska Section PGA encompasses the entire State of Nebraska, western fifth of Iowa and a small portion of South Dakota including Dakota Dunes and Yankton. The Section office is located in Lincoln, NE and acts as a resource for local and national golf information for the golf professional and amateur player alike. Our members are often referred to as “Club Professionals”, not to be mistaken as PGA Tour Professionals.
Each Nebraska Section PGA Professional serves as an expert in the ever-changing business of golf. They are the leading expert players and teachers, skilled business managers, community leaders, and superior merchandisers who have dedicated their careers to the local delivery of these services.